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We have one day to go to that area from Seattle. Is it better to take the ferry or go around on the highway to Port Angeles? Is it a pretty drive? How long does it take to get there and is it worth it? Is there shopping in Port Angeles? Any suggestions would be appreciatied.
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Day trip to the Olympic Peninsula
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Well, when I was very young at least one day every summer a few of us would do this one-day loop of the peninsula. We got up at the b-crack of dawn, and took off. We started from Tacoma and would typically go to Staircase at Lake Cushman first for a short hike, head out and make our way to Lake Quinault and at that time you could drive all the way around the lake, and we would make a few mad dashes into the woods, we would continue up 101 and make a few beach stops, Kalaloch and such, go on through to PA and up to Hurricane Ridge for the fastest of looks, head for Three Crabs in Sequim for dinner, and by then it would be nightfall and we were headed home.
As you can imagine, this was not relaxing! Why did we feel we needed to do a one-day loop each year? I have no idea now, but we did it a lot of years in a row. So it is possible, although not the most relaxing way to see the area. Yes, though, it is beautiful out there. Remember, we knew where we were going, so if you do decide to give this a shot, map your way very carefully.
If you are starting from Seattle, take the ferry over and loop around from that direction. Good luck!
If you'll be going from Sea-Tac area I suppose it's just as fast to drive around. Ferry is nicer IMO (Seattle-Bainbridge and onward).
I can't imagine making that trip for the shopping.
It takes about 2.5 hours from downtown Seattle, either by taking the ferry to Bainbridge, or driving around via Tacoma. That doesn't include any waiting time for the ferry however. Whether you'll have a wait depends on day of the week and time of day.
It's a pretty drive and in a day trip you could aim for going up to Hurricane Ridge and out to Lk Crescent. ONP is all about the outdoors IMO--I wouldn't waste time shopping out there. Port Townsend would have more cutesy shops than Port Angeles however--not sure what you're looking for.
It's easily doable. Our typical day: ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, across the Hood Canal floating bridge, then up US 101 to Sequim (pron. "Skwim.") Turn right and carry on through some pretty farming country (and gorgeous fields of lavender at the moment) to Dungeness for an early lunch at the 3 Crabs restaurant - http://the3crabs.com/ - not the greatest food (except the coleslaw) but a dynamite setting, on the beach with Vancouver Island/Victoria visible across the Strait.
Then back to 101 and into Port Angeles, follow the signs to Hurricane Ridge/Olympic NP. Go up to the visitors center for some stunning views, probably some local elk or sheep, then back down to PA and back toward Seattle.
Stop for sundowners at the Harbor Pub on Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge - http://harbourpub.com/home.html - before catching the ferry back to Seattle with the Olympic Mountains silhouetted behind you and the city skyline glowing in front. It can be a downright magical day.
Only shopping of interest IMO is for lavender stuff (potions, notions) around Sequim.
Going around the bottom through Tacoma and over the Narrows bridges (or worse, all the way down to Olympia) just adds needless (and boring) freeway hours to the drive.
I would set out early and take either the Edmonds-Kingston or the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry to the West Sound. Drive over the Hood Canal Bridge, and head west. From Kingston, you have a 1.5 to 2 hour drive to Port Angeles. I wouldn't expect to do much shopping in Port Angeles. If you arrive early enough, you can go up to Hurricane Ridge and over to Lake Crescent in one day before heading back. You might want to consider coming out on the Kingston ferry and going back on the Bainbridge ferry just for variety...the sunset views of Seattle are pretty special.
I agree it can be done in one busy day. I would include at least one ferry ride, not to save time, but because it's really fun.